Ginkgo Avenues: Japan's Golden Autumn Streets

Published October 15, 2026 at 10:18 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

When autumn deepens in Japan, many city streets quietly turn to gold. Rows of ginkgo trees, known in Japanese as icho, glow a brilliant yellow, and their fan-shaped leaves drift down to form bright carpets along the sidewalks. Unlike the red maples that usually steal the spotlight, ginkgo avenues bring the color of fall right into the middle of busy urban life. This guide introduces the ginkgo tree and its place in Japanese culture, highlights some of the best-known golden streets, and offers tips for timing your visit and enjoying the scenery with care.

A Tree From the Distant Past

The ginkgo is often called a living fossil, because it belongs to a very old lineage. Fossils resembling the modern tree have been found in rocks from the Permian period, roughly 270 million years ago, which is older than the dinosaurs. It is a hardy and adaptable species, and these qualities have made it a popular choice for city streets, where trees must cope with traffic and limited space. In Japan, the tree is closely tied to autumn, alongside the maples, and it has long been planted in the grounds of temples and shrines.

The name icho is written with characters meaning something like "silver apricot," a reference to the nuts, which are known as ginnan. Their seed coating gives off a strong smell when it falls and breaks, which is the one downside of walking under the trees at the end of the season. Even so, the nuts have a place in Japanese cooking, and they are served grilled on skewers or added to hot pot dishes in autumn. If you see a stall or restaurant offering them, it is a small seasonal treat worth trying.

The Ginkgo as a Symbol of Tokyo

The ginkgo is the official tree of Tokyo, and its fan-shaped leaf appears in many local designs. The leaf was chosen for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's logo in 1989, and you will spot the yellow emblem on government buildings, signs and vehicles around the city. The shape also shows up in other parts of Japanese culture. For example, the leaf-shaped topknot called oichomage, traditionally worn by top-ranked sumo wrestlers, takes its name from the ginkgo, and the tree appears in woodblock prints from the Edo period.

All of this means that when you see a golden ginkgo street in Tokyo, you are looking at more than pretty scenery. You are looking at a symbol that people recognize at a glance. It is no surprise that the golden avenue is a favorite backdrop for films, television dramas and family photos.

Meiji Jingu Gaien: Tokyo's Golden Tunnel

The most famous ginkgo avenue in Japan is the Icho Namiki, which runs through Meiji Jingu Gaien, the outer gardens of Meiji Jingu in central Tokyo. The trees line a straight road, and as their leaves turn golden yellow, the whole road becomes a glowing golden corridor. The peak color usually lasts for about two weeks in late November and early December, and the avenue becomes one of the city's busiest autumn photo spots. Gaiemmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line is about a five-minute walk away, making it easy to reach.

The area is very popular, so a weekday morning is a wise choice if you want to avoid the thickest crowds. In the early light, the leaves seem to glow, and the road is calmer for photos. Please stay on the sidewalks, keep to the walkways and be mindful of traffic and other visitors. Because tree health matters, do not climb on the trees, shake the branches or pick up large quantities of fallen leaves.

Marunouchi, Osaka and Beyond

Elsewhere in Tokyo, the ginkgo trees along Gyoko-dori in Marunouchi lead from Tokyo Station toward the Imperial Palace, creating an elegant golden approach in the heart of the business district. The nearest station for the central part of the street is Nijubashimae. The first ginkgo avenue in Tokyo is said to have been designed for the campus of the University of Tokyo in the early twentieth century, which shows how long the tree has been part of the city's look.

In Osaka, the main boulevard Midosuji is lined with ginkgo trees, and when their leaves turn yellow, the street takes on a golden, ceremonial atmosphere. Each city has its own timing, so it pays to check local conditions. Across the country, temples and shrines often have a large ginkgo that glows beside the main hall, so you may find a lovely tree during almost any autumn trip.

Timing and Practical Tips

In general, the ginkgo season runs from early November in colder northern regions such as Hokkaido and Tohoku to late November in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. The peak color often arrives a few days before the maples reach their best. Because weather affects the schedule, it is a good idea to check autumn leaf forecasts and local reports as your trip approaches rather than relying on a fixed date. A cold snap can speed things up, while warm weather can delay the show.

For the best experience, dress in layers, carry a small bag for trash and wear shoes that you do not mind getting a bit dirty, because fallen fruit can be messy and smelly. Early morning light, after-rain glow and the moment when leaves fall in a gentle shower all make wonderful photos. If you visit during a weekend, expect crowds and give yourself extra time. A thermos of something warm and a light scarf make a long, slow walk under the trees much more comfortable, and many nearby cafes are happy places to warm up afterward and enjoy the view from a window seat.

It also helps to know that ginkgo color changes in a fairly short window. The leaves shift from green to a clear, buttery yellow, and then they tend to fall together in a rush, so a few days can separate a half-green avenue from a golden one and then from a yellow carpet on the ground. Many visitors actually enjoy both stages, since the fallen leaves create a soft, glowing path that is just as photogenic as the trees overhead. If your schedule is flexible, plan to visit at least once around the expected peak and keep a second option nearby in case the weather shifts.

Quick Takeaways

Ginkgo avenues are one of autumn's great free pleasures in Japan, offering bright color, easy access and a strong connection to local culture. Aim for late November in Tokyo, earlier in the north, and check the foliage forecasts before you go. Walk the avenues early on a weekday if you can, take your time under the arching branches, respect the trees and the traffic, and treat yourself to some grilled ginnan along the way. A golden street in the crisp air is a simple, joyful way to feel the season turn.